January 31 / 16.29 Newcastle (AW)

16.29

Standard

BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

  • Prize money: £5234
  • 1m 0f 5y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Mostly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 116-63 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won three times over C&D late last year and he returned to form when third here ten days ago (Cusack fifth and 2lb better off today); solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(1)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

Volenti

9st 3lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Arrives in decent nick without winning, fourth of nine in 1m handicap at Ripon 13 days ago; it's now 20 runs since his last victory however.

13/2

4th

9

(4)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:09 Ripon

Volenti

8st 4lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Ben Haslam

In reasonably good form having made the frame in last three starts; however, still has a better strike-rate on Newcastle AW than on turf and this is a step back up in grade; 2lb out of weights.

10/1

3rd

13

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 6

17:18 Redcar

Volenti

9st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Ben Haslam

Back in better form with fourth-place finishes the last twice; still has a better strike-rate on Newcastle AW than on turf but he's on an attractive mark and Conor Whiteley takes off a bonus 7lb; shortlisted.

7/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 5351-5 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Sometimes slowly away but he capitalised on a drop in the weights to land C&D handicap in December; respectable fifth to Cusack off revised mark here next time; more required if he's to win again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(4)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 5

17:30 Redcar

Paris Lights

10st 1lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Both wins on AW and 0-18 on turf; a couple of Pontefract runs this spring that bring him into the reckoning and this is effectively his first run at this level since winning at Newcastle in December; should run his race.

7/2

6th

7

(2)

6th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Pontefract

Paris Lights

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-17 on turf; second and third over C&D in the spring off slightly higher marks than this, before lesser efforts elsewhere on last two outings; well treated if back on song.

8/1

6th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 213y

Class 5

17:30 Doncaster

Paris Lights

10st 0lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

Two wins on AW but 0-16 on turf; twice placed at Pontefract this season but he needs to rebound from a lacklustre effort at Ripon (1m2f, good) three weeks ago.

16/1

9/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 8513-5 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Won over 7f here in November; below par over same C&D next time and subsequently left Danny Brooke; bit to prove for new stable, including his stamina for this longer distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 135y

Class 6

20:25 Lingfield

Drafted

9st 9lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Charlie Pike

Trainer won with three of his last five runners coming into today, all three doing it easily, two at big prices; this triple AW winner has shown enough since returned to turf to suggest he can be a factor at this level.

11/4

5th

7

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

17:02 Bath

Drafted

9st 0lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Charlie Pike

Has run some fair races in defeat for his new stable but he is essentially regressive; surprising if there weren't a few stronger in today's field.

8/1

3rd

7

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

20:40 Lingfield

Drafted

9st 6lb

J: Kieren Fox

T: Charlie Pike

Three-time AW winner; 0-5 for new stable since February but put in a good front-running shift before fading into fourth behind No Gain here (7.6f, good) last month; each-way claims if handing the forecast slower ground.

13/2

Form: 5123-3 C BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Likeable mare, effective at 7f/1m and proving tough and consistent; campaigned at Newcastle this winter, making all in December and rallying when third three weeks ago; should give another good account of herself.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

10th Jul 2025

Soft

0m 5f 182y

Class 4

14:45 Carlisle

Rebeccas Girl

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Gary Rutherford

Front-runner who won here over 7f last season (first-time blinkers); below her best at Newcastle (the scene of her three other wins) when last seen 103 days ago and now steps into class 4 company for the first time.

12/1

8th

5

(9)

29th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Rebeccas Girl

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Gary Rutherford

Front-runner who has turned in a string of good course runs since November, winning three times; latest second (6f) represented further improvement; another 2lb higher but set to go well again.

9/2

2nd

2

(1)

22nd Mar 2025

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Rebeccas Girl

9st 9lb

J: Rhys Elliott

T: Gary Rutherford

Three course wins this winter, including at this trip; solid placed efforts the last twice and likely to go well once again.

4/1

Form: 462-76 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Close second to Paris Lights over C&D just after Christmas, and he wasn't beaten far when sixth of 12 here ten days ago; should be in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(1)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Wyvern

9st 6lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Does most racing now at Newcastle, the scene of his last three wins; off for six weeks since finishing well held behind Captain Pickles over C&D.

20/1

12/1

Form: 1514-9 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Looked on the up when bagging a second C&D success in November but she has failed to repeat the form, soundly beaten behind Cusack on latest start; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:29 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

towards rear

12/1

6th

3

(3)

31st Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

16:29 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 7lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Michael Dods

towards rear

12/1

9th

2

(3)

14th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Mambha

9st 8lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Michael Dods

Looked on the up when bagging a second C&D success in November but she came in a well-held fourth of six here 24 days ago; she's worth another chance.

8/1

4/1

Form: 943-15 CD

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Course regular who was winning here for the seventh time when scoring narrowly over C&D 17 days ago, with three of today's rivals unplaced; ran pretty well under a penalty the following week; now 2lb lower and has the bonus of Kaiya Fraser's claim; has his optimum conditions and looks the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(12)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 5

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Tom Kiely-Marshall

T: David Thompson

10-47 on AW, with all bar one of those wins coming at Newcastle (7f-1m2f); now sits 3lb below his last winning mark, and Tom Kiely-Marshall's 5lb claim is a bonus, but seems to have lost his way; may strip fitter for 7f course comeback run.

40/1

11

(2)

19th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

8st 12lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: David Thompson

Nine course wins to his name, mainly in the early months of the year; 50-1 for his C&D return a month ago, when well behind a few of these, and needs a big step forward.

25/1

12th

12

(11)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Cusack

9st 0lb

J: Jonny Peate

T: David Thompson

Nine of his ten wins have come at this track (7f-1m2f) but last success was 13 months ago and he finished down the field here in his final two runs last year; looks opposable back from a break.

16/1

Form: 47/0-6

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Fair 7f winner for Ivan Furtado in May 2023 but well held after absences on last two starts, behind Cusack here on reappearance; difficult to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

(5)

1st Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:30 Musselburgh

Bird Of Play

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: Liam Bailey

Without a win since May 2023 and generally very disappointing for current stable since last spring; ran okay behind Purple Martini over C&D two starts ago but still makes only limited appeal; sports refitted cheekpieces and first-time tongue-tie.

20/1

10th

4

(3)

10th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

20:10 Catterick

Bird Of Play

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Liam Bailey

1-20; continues to ease in the weights, down to a career-low mark, but hasn't shown enough in either of his last two starts (both 7f at Musselburgh) to suggest his turn is imminent; these newly applied blinkers need to work their magic.

11/1

5th

5

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

0m 7f 15y

Class 6

15:20 Musselburgh

Bird Of Play

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Liam Bailey

in touch with leaders, hung right and weakened gradually inside final furlong

16/1

16/1

Form: 4908-6

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Won on handicap debut at Leicester (7f) in August 2023 when trained by Marcus Tregoning; always towards rear in three runs for current yard (twice slowly away) but his mark has tumbled and he could be dangerous if getting away on terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

6th Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Royal Blaze

9st 11lb

J: David Nolan

T: Ewan Whillans

Needs to rebound from a substandard AW run ten days ago but made the frame on two of three turf starts in the spring (both times over 1m1f) and this longer trip probably suits better; can't be ignored off current mark.

12/1

9th

4

(9)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 6

17:10 Newcastle (AW)

Royal Blaze

11st 0lb

J: Mr Eireann Cagney

T: Ewan Whillans

Both wins last season were over 1m2f, latterly over C&D in September off 1lb lower than today; two minor honours from three starts this turf season ensure that he has a prominent place in calculations.

6/1

3rd

1

(5)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 35y

Class 6

14:15 Hamilton

Royal Blaze

10st 1lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Ewan Whillans

Both wins last season were over 1m2f; hasn't worn headgear so far this season and was below-par dropped to 7f last time (good to firm; reportedly never travelling) having run creditably when fourth at Ayr after a break 15 days earlier (1m1f); interesting with cheekpieces back on

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.40
Straight Forecast £20.13
Tricast £328.25
Trifecta £170.10

Selections

POSTDATA:

Volenti

The Times:

Rebecca's Girl

SPOTLIGHT:

Cusack

D Express:

Wyvern

The Guardian:

Rebecca's Girl

Daily Record:

Rebecca's Girl

Telegraph:

Volenti

Daily Mirror:

Volenti

The Sun:

Volenti

The Star:

Wyvern

RP RATINGS:

Cusack

Daily Mail:

Cusack